It has been two weeks since Cape Racing’s ‘Golden Voice’ Rouvaun Smith underwent emergency lifesaving surgery at Kingsbury Hospital in Claremont after a fall at his home.
In a brief catch-up with the Sporting Post on Thursday evening, the 53 year old racecaller said that the complex spinal surgery appears to have been a success and that he was looking forward to moving to a step-down facility in the next few days to commence a twelve week rehabilitation programme which is aimed at getting him mobile and able to perform daily life processes again.
Rouvaun Smit
Rouvaun hopes to complete his rehabilitation at his home after a few weeks, but it’s all dependant on his progress.
“There is no rushing this process and it’s really no fun lying on a bed all day. But I’m in good hands and have every faith that I will be able to regain a semblance of normality in my life again. If anything, there is good to have come out of this. I haven’t had a smoke for two weeks – and bar the odd weak moment, I am not missing it!” laughed the man who has called big races from Hollywoodbets Kenilworth to the historic Epsom Racecourse in Britain.
The born-and-bred Capetonian was the first international racecaller invited to Dubai, the year of Meydan’s champagne opening, and he was on the eve of departing for the UAE when the unfortunate mishap occurred.
“Technology is wonderful and I will be at Meydan in spirit and via my mobile device for the Dubai World Cup racemeeting on Saturday,”he added, saying that the support from family, friends and industry stakeholders had been ‘overwhelming’.
“We go about our daily life taking many things for granted. That’s human nature, probably. But I cannot thank my family, friends and industry stakeholders enough for the outpouring of love and interest. It has kept me going and I would like to use this opportunity to thank everybody.”
